I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Gui Xuan’s expression also changed, but not to anger, rather to joy; he had never expected even the heavens to be helping him. If this Li Xiaobai could kill the two of them, even better—it would likely forever sever Long Xue’s good feelings towards him.

Hehe, Li Xiaobai, I thought you would be a formidable opponent, but it turns out you’re just a clown, so vulnerable. I haven’t even made a move and this trial has already declared this young master the victor.

But as much as he thought this, his face was still filled with rage, as if ashamed of Li Xiaobai’s misdeeds.

“Junior Brother Li, don’t follow the same path as your brother; your brother has seen the truth now. This world is entirely dominated by the government’s word, and any slightest defiance gets branded as demonic. Rather than living a dog’s life in such a world, it’s better to die swiftly!”

“Junior Brother, if you truly wish for my death, you need not soil your own hands. I am willing to take my own life, but I implore you to grant my sister a chance for life, to let her return home in glory and live out the rest of her days far from the worldly worries, carefree and untroubled!”

Gui Xuan’s words were sincere, his face an open book of genuine emotion; had Li Xiaobai not been aware of his true character in advance, he almost would have believed him.

“Brother Li, do you really mean to do this?”

“You would disregard our fellowship, our past days together—have you forgotten them all?”

Long Xue’s face was ashen, void of any color, and tears streamed down her face.

“Brother, don’t blame your junior. In life, there’s no medicine for regret. Mistakes made must be paid for; as they say, ‘you reap what you sow!’”

Li Xiaobai sighed, took a heavy, golden ringed saber with a ghost-headed design, adorned with nine rings, from a burly man beside him; a single swing of such a blade, no less than a hundred catties in force, could behead a person, or even carve a large hole in a small mountain.

“Hahaha, Junior Brother, if you’ve got the guts, then cleave me with one blow. But if there is still a shred of conscience left in you, please spare our sister!”

“Otherwise, even if I fall into the netherworld, I won’t let you go!”

Gui Xuan was still acting, his performance convincing and moving; he had probably gotten into his role.

Looking at Gui Xuan’s pretentious behavior, Li Xiaobai smiled faintly, shook his head, leaned in close to Gui Xuan’s ear, and whispered, “In that case, Junior Brother will fulfill Brother’s wish. After your death, I’ll immerse myself with the little sister, soaring together.”

“Junior Brother once said, upon entering the Illusionary Realm World, I would immediately slay you. Now is the time to fulfill that promise.”

Li Xiaobai spat on the saber, the shine brilliant under the sunlight, glinting with a strange, eerie glow.

“What… what did you say?”

“You haven’t lost your memory!”

“You’re Li Xiaobai, do you also have a way to stay clear-headed?”

“You son of a bitch, you trapped me!”

Gui Xuan’s complexion changed dramatically; how had he not realized that the other man had not lost his memory at all, that he was just as engaged in an acting duel! The purpose was clear—to take the opportunity to eliminate him at the start and then take the little sister to live a life of leisure. They were both martial artists with cultivation levels; as long as they could move freely, escaping to survival wasn’t impossible.

This world wasn’t limited to just this small scene; a vast and unexplored world awaited them. He hadn’t grasped this, and now he was about to be slaughtered by Li Xiaobai!

“My lord!”

“I’ve changed my mind, I’m willing to become a Court Hound!”

“I am far more trustworthy than this Li Xiaobai, my lord, please tie him up again, and I’ll behead him right away!”

“My lord, believe me, I don’t want to die…”

Gui Xuan hurriedly wriggled on the ground, shouting and pleading for mercy. If he were to die here, wouldn’t it be the same as handing Long Xue over on a silver platter?

It was laughable that he had previously thought he held the winning ticket. How could the Illusionary Realm created by the Old Dragon King be so superficial?

Regrettably, he realized too late, and the situation had already been firmly controlled by Li Xiaobai.

“Brother Gui Xuan, you!”

Long Xue was completely taken aback, not understanding why the other had undergone such a drastic change within just a few short seconds.

“This official has always been a man of his word; since you’d already passed up your chance earlier, there’s no need for further mindless barking here.”

“Li Xiaobai, the time for the afternoon watch has arrived. If not now, then when? Show this official your decision!”

The official, looking at Gui Xuan frantically twisting on the ground, scoffed and turned to issue an order to Li Xiaobai.

“Hehe, Junior Sister, now you understand, don’t you? This guy is beyond saving, he has betrayed our sect to the core, becoming a hound for the Imperial Court.”

“All those sweet nothings he told you before were just his disguise. From the start, he has been secretly scheming unspeakable secrets, but you never imagined that the Court had already given up on you. Brother Gui Xuan, accept your fate.”

Li Xiaobai laughed heartily, lifting the golden-ringed broadsword high above his head, which seemed sacred under the reflection of the sunlight.

In an instant, Gui Xuan felt his entire body shiver, every hair on end, the scent of death lingering in his mind, unable to be dispelled—a stark contrast to the scenario he had envisioned.

“Wait!”

“Li Xiaobai, if you are a man, compete fairly!”

“What skill is there in plotting in the shadows? If you’ve got the guts, let me off this time, and let’s start over!”

“My lord, I am the most loyal to you, don’t you remember? Just let me off this time, and I will immediately take you to find the Cultivation Technique left by our master!”

Gui Xuan kept writhing, shouting at the top of his lungs, seeking a last glimmer of hope.

Disappointment flashed in Li Xiaobai’s eyes. This guy really knew how to act, without a shred of cunning or guile. Faced with the slightest change, he immediately switched sides, wiping out any goodwill he had accumulated towards Long Xue in one stroke—a true pig of an opponent.

“My lord, he says he wants to start again, asking me to let him off. What do you say, my lord?”

Li Xiaobai turned to ask the high-ranking official beside him.

“Do you know where that Cultivation Technique he mentioned is?”

Asked the official.

“Of course, that’s my master as well.”

Li Xiaobai nodded and said casually.

“Then, get it over with quickly, don’t waste time. This official’s patience is very limited!”

The official waved his hand dismissively and turned back, signaling Li Xiaobai to get on with it. To him, it made no difference who surrendered. In the end, he would be the one to benefit. If he could find that legendary Cultivation Technique, he might even have the chance to dominate the martial world.

“Hehe, alright, rest assured, my lord. I shall do it now!”